hotel reviews | departures
Hotel Reviews
UK
Rosewood London BY NICKY TRUP
HAVING REBRANDED AS the Rosewood London late last year, the former Chancery Court hotel has thankfully lost none of its charm. Tucked away in a courtyard on High Holborn,
the hotel’s grand entrance leads to an opulent lobby, where I quickly checked in, passing up the option of doing so in-room. Instead, the receptionist led me up to my Grand Premier Suite, pointing out the hotel’s various features and amenities on the way. The suite itself was vast, with art deco-inspired
interiors. The bathroom was a particular highlight — all mirror and marble, with beautiful fittings and a wooden dressing table. The bedroom had views over the courtyard, a very comfortable bed, and a somewhat overcomplicated TV and radio set-up that I never quite got the hang of. The minibar (a huge mirrored drinks cabinet)
included complimentary spirits in diamond-shaped bottles — a great aperitif before a delicious dinner in the hotel’s Mirror Room restaurant. I finished off my stay with a room service
breakfast the next morning. It was a little late arriving and slightly cold as a result, but despite that it tasted great, and the cheery service more than made up for it.
ESSENTIALS
n ADDRESS: 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, UK. T: +44 20 7781 8888.
rosewoodhotels.com n PRICE: Grand Premier Suite from £1,325 ($2,248) a night, room only, excluding VAT.
VERDICT:
W Verbier SWITZERLAND
BY PAT RIDDELL
DESIGNED IN TRADITIONAL chalet style, the W is an inconspicuous addition to Verbier, the trademark design features safely confined to the interior. Spread across four buildings, it’s something of a bold move for both the Starwood brand and the Swiss ski resort, largely known for its private chalets and celebrity following. With a restaurant, bar, club and cafe, plus
a spa, pool and business facilities, it’s a fresh proposition in this part of the Alps, bringing ‘urban chic’ to a spot where hotels are in short supply. Rooms are typically Alpine, but with the usual
W flair. Swiss white and reds dominate, along with wooden features and a mix of fabrics softening the effect. Service is typically cool, but efficient, featuring the signature ‘Whatever, Whenever’ offering, while the contemporary design elements throughout will make W regulars feel at home. The views over the valley and surrounding
mountains are pretty spectacular. But the real clincher for many will be the fact that the ski run has now been diverted to end at Off Piste, the outdoor apres-ski bar in front of the hotel. And if snow isn’t your thing, the hotel remains
open throughout the summer, when other active sports and festivals occupy the mountain air.
summer 2014 | ASTAnetwork | 127 ESSENTIALS
n ADDRESS: Rue de Médran 70, 1936 Verbier, Switzerland. T: +41 27 472 8888.
wverbier.com n PRICE: Rooms from $335 a night.
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